Pocono Lively Arts stages 'High School Musical'

Mention Troy Bolton, Gabriella Montez, Sharpay Evans or Ryan Evans to almost any pre-teen or teen, and they'll know these names even if you don't.

HELEN YANULUS

Mention Troy Bolton, Gabriella Montez, Sharpay Evans or Ryan Evans to almost any pre-teen or teen, and they'll know these names even if you don't.

And they're probably bubbling with excitement in anticipation of Aug. 17, too.

Disney's "High School Musical" made-for-TV movie has youngsters across the country singing the songs and dancing the moves of the Wildcat crowd from East High. And in August, "High School Musical 2" will air on the Disney Channel.

So while these teens who made the 2006 soundtrack a chart-topping hit wait, Pocono Lively Arts will present the student production of the stage version of "High School Musical" this weekend at the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg.

Susan Jordan, director of the musical, hadn't seen the movie and first encountered the story while reading the stage adaptation. The PLA board expressed a keen interest in the show because of its popularity, and secured the rights before the show went on tour. Often when a show is on tour, the rights are not available.

"It sends a powerful message about people learning to be themselves and not feeling the pressure to be a part of a clique," Jordan said. "It does it in a very positive, reinforcing way."

The stage version has three new songs and several expanded numbers, and many characters are more fully developed.

Ali Dickison, 19, of East Stroudsburg has been cast in the role of diva Sharpay Evans. "I loved it. I was obsessed. All my friends knew all the numbers and dance moves," said Dickison, who is a recent graduate of East Stroudsburg High School-South and will head off to Pace University to study musical theater in the fall.

Matt Roseti, 17, of Henryville, who will play the role of Troy Bolton, was a bit put off by the cover of the soundtrack, which featured the characters in a dance pose. His cousin made him watch the movie, and he changed his tune.

"I love how it is so clean-cut, so Disney with bright colors. I like the message, and I love the singing," said Roseti, who will enter his junior year and is homeschooled.

"It's talking about breaking off limitations that people put on you as part of a group and being yourself. Don't let people pressure you into something you're not," Roseti said.

Dickison added, "It shows how to be OK with yourself."

The story revolves around four characters. Troy, the basketball captain, meets bookworm Gabriella while singing karaoke during a skiing trip. She enrolls in his school after winter break.

Sharpay and her twin brother, Ryan, are stars of the drama club and excited about the auditions for the school musical.

All four try out for the musical, and all four are called back for a second audition. Sharpay is unhappy and schemes to have the callbacks conflict with the championship game and science decathlon. She also is carrying a torch for Troy.

"I love playing her. I've always been the nice girl, and this is an opportunity to break out," Dickison said. "I enjoy being the one to hate."

Troy, whose father is the basketball coach, has never extended his reach beyond sports, and the student body is surprised by his breakout attempt, prompting the song "Stick to the Status Quo" at the end of the first act.

Jordan said, "It's exaggerated to make a point."

That point is that every person has worth and should not be pigeonholed into an identity.

Roseti enjoys playing Troy, who he feels is not fully content with basketball alone. "I think he's a good guy, but really insecure," he said. "And I like that he has good taste in girls."

The all-student production features 29 youths and two adults, who portray teachers. The choreographer, Evie Korovesis, and musical director, Ronan Mariano, are college students.

"So much of our emphasis is education through the arts. This show highlights the talent, energy and enthusiasm that young people bring to a production," Jordan said.

During the five-week prep time, the cast has not only learned the music and dialogue, but they've learned from each other, and that's the beauty of bringing young people together on the stage.

Dickison, who has been in other productions that were more of a mix of youths and adults, said, "You see a different spark. People want to be there because they're excited. There is a readiness to try new things."

Roseti, who has never been on stage before, loved the music enough to audition. When he checked the cast list release on the Web, and found he'd made it, he jumped around the house screaming.

Jordan said, "It's really a show for all ages. It's just the kind of show you can't help but like."

Even theater people should take a closer look. Dickison said, "It's such a bubble-gum show that theater people look at it critically, but it is bringing new people to the theater, and you can't argue with that."